Get to know Bottega’s

Head Chef

axel Archenti

It is our pleasure to introduce Axel Archenti
as Bottega's new Head Chef.

​​​​​​​Axel brings a wealth of experience + passion to his dishes + menus.
A consummate professional.
With 11 years of professional experience, his notable tenures include Harvey Nichols’ flagship Fifth Floor restaurant, under the guidance of Michelin Chef Christopher Bower + a stint at London's Modern Pantry.

Lets chat:

Tell us about yourself and your career in hospitality

I am an Italian Chef from the province of La Spezia. I started cooking early in life, baking my first bread when I was 10 years old, then working as an assistant Chef aboard a yacht during my school holidays.
At 20 years old, I moved to London where I worked 60/70 hours a week as a fine dining Chef to build my professional career.

What inspired you to become a Chef?

I grew up in a family of chefs + restaurant owners. My father is a chef
+ my uncle owns a restaurant + artisan gelateria. Both my aunts own + run an agriturismo (a kind of B+B) where they grow + produce most of the ingredients they use to cater for their guest stays. I guess hospitality has always been in my blood! I have always been around kitchens + cooking, so it was a natural choice to become a chef myself.

What is your favourite part about working at Bottega?

What I love about Bottega is that we are a serious restaurant - we aim to serve quality food without taking shortcuts. I love leading a team that is fully committed + we trust each other + have a really tight bond.

One word to describe your cooking style?

Modern Italian. I have a passion for fresh seafood, traditional pasta techniques + local produce.

What is your favourite Bottega dish?

It’s hard to pick only one, but if I have to I would say porcini risotto which always has a very special place in my heart. It was a special dish my grandfather would make for the whole family when would visit him at his home in the Italian Alps. I love how the smell + taste of a dish can transport you back to a happy place + time in your life.